Double dose of bitter cold weather hits region

Thursday

Jan 2, 2014 at 7:30 PM

By Nick CrowThe Journal-Standard

FREEPORT - Stephenson County faces two rounds of bitter cold starting tonight and returning at the beginning of next week.

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a wind-chill advisory through 10 a.m. Friday for Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Ogle and Carroll counties. Temperatures overnight were forecast to drop to 15 below zero.

"Then we will get a really bitter shot of cold air," he said. "Monday could potentially have a high temperature of 15 to 16 below. Tuesday morning will be around 20 below."

Gusts of up to 20 mph could push the wind chill even lower.

"Prepare for it to be unusually cold. It's going to be significantly cold air."

The average high for this time of year in Stephenson County is usually in the mid-20s, with lows in the teens.

"The last time it was this cold was in 2009, and before that 1996," Cousins said. "This weather can be expected from Sunday evening through Wednesday morning."

Stephenson County Health Administrator Craig Beintema urged residents to exercise caution when they are outside, saying they should avoid prolonged exposure to the cold. Even limited exposure to the extreme cold can lead to hypothermia or frostbite if the proper precautions are not taken.

"If you're going out, tell someone when you're going out and when you'll be back," he said. "If you have to travel, do it in the daylight and make sure to charge your cellphone."

The safest thing people can do is to stay inside, but if that's not possible, "wear several layers of clothing, not just one. They also need to use hats and scarves and make sure their extremities are covered.

"All I can say is, I would recommend people not be outside for more than a half-hour at a time without going inside to warm up."